News • 31.03.2020

Coronavirus: impact on European businesses

Purple Wifi's data available for free

Due to the pandemic, Purple has decided to make its data available to all who wish to see, enabling people, businesses and economists to track the real-time impact COVID-19 are having on all industries across the globe.

The enterprise-class analytics and wayfinding business has tried to collate all their information into a visual demonstration of how Coronavirus is affecting retail spaces across Europe.

Figure 1: European retail visits last 30 days

European retail visits last 30 days
Figure 1
Source: Purple WiFi

Figure 1 represents the overall decrease of visitors in retail stores across Europe, the data then proceeds to drill down and segment further by showing the impact it has had on some largest countries in Europe; Germany, United Kingdom, and Spain. It highlights the pattern of natural peaks and troughs during the course of a week, with the weekend seeing the most visits, as expected. Data from Figure 1 shows that during the weekend of 14th/15th there was a swift decline as opposed to the usual increase you’d expect to see. Coronavirus during this weekend began to take a much larger impact with many European countries going into lockdown and citizens being told to avoid public places or any “mass gatherings”.

Figure 2: visits over a 10 day period - European retail

Visits over a 10 day period - European retail
Figure 2
Source: Purple

Figure 2 showcases the data for 10 days the period in which countries began taking more serious measures in order to protect its citizens, we see a phenomenal decline around 9th March.This coincides with the quarantine and lockdown of the nation of Italy, which has created a large domino effect across the continent, prompting other countries to follow suit, some stricter than others. We can see an unnatural trend in figure 2 with a huge 67 percent decrease in traffic into retail stores compared to just 10 days ago, highlighting the seriousness of the situation for smaller businesses.

Figure 3: decrease in visitors - Spanish retail

 

Decrease in visitors - Spanish retail
Figure 3
Source: Purple

Figure 3 collates footfall data from a ten-week period to show the decrease in traffic during the early stages of coronavirus in Europe, through to its current global pandemic stage. Spain declared a state of emergency for its residents which has caused an approximate 30 percent decrease in such a short period of time and with this being enforced for the next 15 days minimum, it’s expected to see a further decrease.

Figure 4: decrease in visitors - German retail

 

Decrease in visitors - German retail
Figure 4
Source: Purple

Figure 4 indicates that Germany has seen a more gradual decrease of visitors to retail stores, compared to the country of Spain. This may suggest differences in measures taken by each nation’s government and the seriousness of which its citizens headed their government's advice. As of March 16th, Germany closed its borders to neighboring countries, in which we expect to see a continuous downward trend. Much like figure 4 illustrates.

Figure 5: UK retail footfall data

UK retail footfall data
Figure 5
Source: Purple

UK retail data shown in Figure 5 differs from the other countries to reflect the differences in the respective countries’ “pandemic timeline” with the UK taking measures at a different time than others. Figure 5 illustrates how retail footfall and consumers are down by approximately 50 percent with the most noticeable decrease beginning from 10th March until today. The likelihood of this occurrence is the UK government’s decision to increase the measures it would take to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its citizens. The United Kingdom has taken further action by strongly encouraging social distancing and imposing self-isolation on those who have been into contact with others and are yet to show symptoms and now schools are closing. We expect to see an even greater decline in retail visitors over the forthcoming weeks.

Figure 6: percentage decline in restaurant visitors across Europe

Percentage decline in restaurant visitors across Europe...
Figure 6
Source: Purple

Retail isn’t the only industry being heavily affected by the current situation, restaurants are another industry that's suffering. Already since the start of March, you begin to see the clear impact that COVID-19 is having with an average decrease across the continents off around 11 percent. Although it must be taken into account that countries have imposed different measures at contrasting times, respective of the severity of the pandemic. As the month continues and comes to an end, we expect to see a much higher rate than figure 6.

Visit the live tracker of Purple for more real-time updates.

Source: Purple WiFi

related articles:

popular articles:

Thumbnail-Photo: Levis expands retail footprint in Asia
14.04.2023   #brick and mortar retail #customer experience

Levi's expands retail footprint in Asia

Clothing company announces opening of region's largest store in Bengaluru, India

Spread over a total retail space of 7521 square feet, the Levi's Brigade Road store features the brand's cutting-edge NextGen store format and retails some of its most beloved products. ...

Thumbnail-Photo: K5 Future Retail Conference
03.05.2023   #e-commerce #retail

K5 Future Retail Conference

20.06.2023 - 21.06.2023 | Berlin, Germany

#LEARNFROMTHEBEST #MEETTHEBEST #BETHEBESTOn June 20 and 21, 2023, the K5 Future Retail Conference 2023, the absolute highlight of the e-commerce year, will take place for the 11th time. A fascinating event awaits you in 2023 as well: numerous ...

Thumbnail-Photo: Shoptalk Europe
02.05.2023   #e-commerce #retail

Shoptalk Europe

09.05.2023 - 11.05.2023 | Barcelona, Spain

Uniting Europe's entire retail ecosystemThe biggest, most influential and rising retailers and brands across Europe and worldwide unite at Shoptalk Europe for unrivaled business-critical connections, conversations, insights and extraordinary ...

Thumbnail-Photo: NIU opens world’s first unmanned store for passenger vehicles in Sweden...
24.05.2023   #brick and mortar retail #Tech in Retail

NIU opens world’s first unmanned store for passenger vehicles in Sweden

Long opening hours and low costs make the concept particularly customer-friendly and attractive for expensive city locations

For the first time, a store is opening that offers testing and ordering of passenger vehicles, without any kind of human assistance. NIU, leading provider of smart electric vehicles, together with security and technology experts Securified Access by ...

Thumbnail-Photo: MikMak rolls out e-commerce acceleration platform...
12.06.2023   #e-commerce #retail

MikMak rolls out e-commerce acceleration platform

Platform offers brands insights that drive business performance

MikMak, the leading e-commerce acceleration platform for multichannel brands, today announced the launch of MikMak 3.0. The enhanced platform enables commerce and conversion opportunities across every consumer touchpoint, along with more advanced ...

Thumbnail-Photo: K5 Future Retail Conference - Top speakers on all aspects of e-commerce...
25.05.2023   #e-commerce #retail

K5 Future Retail Conference - Top speakers on all aspects of e-commerce

20.06.2023 - 21.06.2023 | Berlin

On June 20 and 21, 2023, the ESTREL Berlin will open its doors. Top speakers and experts from e-commerce will come together at the K5 FUTURE RETAIL CONFERENCE 2023. This year, K5 is taking place under very special conditions: the ongoing ...

Thumbnail-Photo: In-store communication: the key is feeling good...
30.03.2023   #multichannel commerce #customer experience

In-store communication: the key is feeling good

What matters in the meantime is the optimal customer approach

"Bringing Digital Retail to Life". For Radio Point of Sale GmbH of Kiel, Germany, the slogan says it all. The company focuses on the possibilities of auditory, visual and interactive communication at the point of sale within the ...

Thumbnail-Photo: Seeing the big picture thanks to digitization?...
15.05.2023   #retail #digitization

Seeing the big picture thanks to digitization?

Optimizing operational processes with modern software

Do I have to reorder goods? How many pieces of product XY do I still have in stock? These are the kinds of questions that keep retailers busy. Is my desired product available again? Where is my order? That's what ...

Thumbnail-Photo: Grove Co. announces new retail partnerships with Kroger, Costco and...
08.06.2023   #retail #sustainability

Grove Co. announces new retail partnerships with Kroger, Costco and Hannaford

Leading sustainable consumer products company increases in-store presence at 450 additional brick & mortar locations

Grove Collaborative Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GROV) (“Grove” or “the Company”), a leading sustainable consumer products company and Certified B Corp, today announced another significant retail expansion for Grove Co., its ...

Thumbnail-Photo: Perfect Corp. and Warner Bros. partner for interactive AR movie try-on...
13.06.2023   #Tech in Retail #app

Perfect Corp. and Warner Bros. partner for interactive AR movie try-on experience

YouCam Apps launches an exclusive collection of AR movie effects for Warner Bros. The Flash

Perfect Corp., the leading AI & AR beauty and fashion tech solutions provider and developer of the YouCam Suite of Apps, has launched an interactive augmented reality (AR) movie experience for Warner Bros. Pictures’ upcoming film The Flash. ...

Supplier

Extenda Retail Ab
Extenda Retail Ab
Gustav III:s Boulevard 50A
169 73 Solna